[mateo]

I'm excited about the Moscode 401HR from what I've read, but I have a couple of questions:

How much heat does it put out? Is it more along the lines of a tube poweramp or tube preamp? Heat is the reason why I'm not doing tube poweramps right now, I don't have access to AC.

Do you guys think it would be overkill for standmounts (currently Merlin TSM-MM) in a smallish room (8x12, but that's not forever)? I'm not attracted to its power rating so much as its described sound and ease/impact of tuberolling, but I don't know how much would be wasted in that environment. FWIW, I plan on doing room treatment and probably some form of digital room correction.

If I don't go with the Moscode (which I plan on driving directly from source or passively preamped), I'd get a Red Wine Signature 30 and a tube preamp. Right now the EE Minimax looks best at the ~$1.5k, but does anyone have recommendations for a tube preamp around ~$2-2.5k? I'm looking for a weightier, harmonically dense sound, but also something very affected by tuberolling, and preferably with exposed tubes. That latter bit sounds kind of stupid, but I have a lot fun of tuberolling and seeing glowing tubes and would like to preserve that if possible.

To further describe my situation, I'm coming from a headphone setup and entering into speakers for the first time. My previous setup was a pair of Sennheiser HD650 off of a Singlepower MPX3 Slam SE ($2k headphone amp) and modded Sony source. My preferences, and what I thought were strengths of that rig, are a somewhat bassy, harmonically dense sound with tube glow but not sacrificing drive or sparkle (aka not too tubey)- my favorite tube config was a Sylvania 6SN7W short bottle driver (all-around best performer IMHO) into a pair of GE 6BX7 (neutral, but powerful for a large soundstage). A Singlepower would probably be my ideal $2.5k preamp, but I'm curious about other options too. Anyway, right now I have a Tact 2150XDM into a pair of Merlin TSM-MM. This very neutral, potentially dry setup was intentional on my part to try something different, but I also realized from it how important tubes are to the "fun factor" in this hobby for me. Despite the unemotional sound, I'm really liking the Merlins, and think they would pass through amp traits really well to give the sound I'm aiming for. If not, I'm open to a change there of course, but I want to work on the backend first, if only to bring back some fun. /ramble

Thanks!

[arthurs]

The Moscode does not run very hot by comparison to other amps out there, warm to the touch at worst....FWIW I preferred an active tube pre with my Moscode, and a well regarded passive was part of my auditioning of pre's....there are a few AC'ers who have owned the Moscode, perhaps they will chime in as well...

[G2moscode]

Greetings Mateo,


I saw your post and thought I should chime in.

The Moscode runs cooler than a regular tube amp since there are no power tubes.
It would be similar to a solid state amp in that regard.

I think that the pairing with the Merlin speakers would be a good one.
We used a George Kaye custom Futterman OTL as reference when we
were voicing the 401HR amp. As you probably know, Merlin speakers are almost always
shown at shows with Joule Electa OTLs with excellent results. Bob Palkovic probably voices his
speakers using an OTL as well.

The ability to tube roll will make it easy to achieve the sound you want.
People have said Mullard (Blackburn) tubes seem to work best.
The first gain stage will have more of an effect on the sound, the cathode follower
changes are very subtle.

You can always give it a try, risk free.

Happy Listening!

Gage Rommel
vice president
moscode, Inc.

[WEEZ]

Hi Mateo,

I've had my TSM-MM's for a little over three years, and have tried a few different amps with them. In general, I would agree with what Bobby recommends for his speakers; namely, amplifiers that tend toward a more harmonically 'rich' presentation. Usually, this means tubes; or solid state mosfet amplifiers.

I'm sure the Moscode would be wonderfull with the Merlins. (it would be 'coasting' with it's power output). Have you considered the amplifier that Bobby is selling now? It's on his site.

Good luck,

WEEZ

[mateo]

Thanks, guys, for all the input. I'm still not sure how I'll go, but that will now be a budget decision instead of any other worries. I suspected it would be a great match, but just wanted to confirm my instincts.

Weez, I looked at the Ars Sonum, but I wanted something that would output potentially less heat, be more friendly to tuberolling, and not be as tied to one brand of speaker. Still, thanks for the suggestion.

[Daygloworange]

mateo,

We had the Moscode for a weekend here at our TAAS Amp Comparo this year. I would say the 401 HR runs cooler than my ATI (which is a class AB Solid State amp). My ATI runs very warm to the touch, even at idle, but it's still not enough to significantly heat a room.

My buddy's JC Halo's mono blocs( which I believe are class A) on the other hand, do really heat up a room, despite being Solid State amps.

Cheers

[yo2tup]

I heard the Moscode is going to be switching to leadfree in the future.  Any info on that?